MADISON -- The Wisconsin State Treasurer says he will return 25-percent of his salary -- after a push to eliminate his position in a state-wide referendum was ultimately voted down by 62-percent this month.
For decades, there has been a push on both sides of the aisle -- to remove powers from this office.
Matt Adamczyk, the current Wisconsin State Treasurer, ran on the platform to eliminate the position.
He even wrote it on his government website. It is now updated after the voters have spoken, with a new promise that reads in part:
"As the Wisconsin State Treasurer, I will work to keep an eye on your money by finding wasteful government spending."
"My belief is that there will be no more efforts to eliminate the office period," said Adamczyk.
In March of 2016, TODAY'S TMJ4's I-Team found Adamczyk in his government office with sports programming on the computer. Back then he told TODAY'S TMJ4 his only constitutional responsibility was to serve on the board of commissioners of public land. That requires him to be on a conference call twice a month for 15 minutes, and in his own admission: "The office by definition is a joke, that's why I want to get rid of it."
TODAY'S TMJ4 asked Adamczyk what he does in a day.
"The main duty I have is serving on that board of commissioners of public lands -- and for me, its been an issue I've taken seriously," Adamczyk said. "I mean we only have a couple conference calls a month."
The treasurer's office used to be in charge of managing the state's unclaimed property refunds, but that program was turned over to the department of revenue just before Adamczyk was sworn in. The treasurer was also in charge of managing Wisconsin's college savings program. The department of administration took over that years ago.
TODAY'S TMJ4 asked Adamczyk what powers may be restored. He says that could take time.
"There might even may be a committee on it over the summer, I don't know, but its going to be up to the legislative session to figure out what duties if any do come back," Adamczyk said.
Adamczyk says he plans to keep his promise of stepping down after this term. He also promised to give back 25-percent of his salary.
"Have you done that?" asked TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter Julia Fello. "Not the full [amount], but I'm making steps towards it. I've already given back $10,000 and by the end of my term I will have given back all 25-percent after taxes, I will," said Adamczyk.
Adamczyk removed two positions from the office. He says it will save our state more than one million tax payer dollars by the end of his term.
Adamczyk plans to run for political office again -- but it will not be for state treasurer.
